A-Z: General definitions: Church

Definition

1. Term for a worshipping community of Christians (Acts 2:46-47; Romans 16:5) There are three main strands of Christian Church: Roman Catholic, Protestant, and (Eastern) Orthodox. 2. The building in which Christians traditionally meet for worship. 3. The worldwide community of Christian believers (Colossians 1:18).

Translation

Anglo Saxon: circe, 'the Lord's' ie. house or body.

Related Topics

1When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven.6And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language.7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome,11both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians - we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.12And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, What does this mean?13But others mocking said, They are filled with new wine.14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:17And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams;18even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.19And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;20the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.21And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.22Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know - 23this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.24God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.25For David says concerning him, I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;26therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope.27For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption.28You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.29Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.30Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne,31he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.32This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.33Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.34For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand,35until I make your enemies your footstool.36Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.37Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brothers, what shall we do?38And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.39For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.40And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, Save yourselves from this crooked generation.41So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.42And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.43And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.44And all who believed were together and had all things in common.45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts,47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

1And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.5And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.6Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.7And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?8And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?9Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,10Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,11Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.12And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?13Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.14But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:15For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.16But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;17And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:18And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:19And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke:20The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and notable day of the Lord come:21And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.22Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:24Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.25For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.28Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.29Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call.40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.42And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.43And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;45And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.46And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,47Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae,2that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.3Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,4who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well.5Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia.6Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you.7Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.8Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord.9Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys.10Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus.11Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.12Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord.13Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.14Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.15Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.16Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.17I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them.18For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.19For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.20The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.21Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.22I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.23Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.2425Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages26but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith - 27to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

1I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea:2That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.3Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus:4Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.5Likewise greet the church that is in their house. Salute my well-beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ.6Greet Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.7Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my fellow-prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.8Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord.9Salute Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved.10Salute Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus' household.11Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord.12Salute Tryphena and Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which laboured much in the Lord.13Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.14Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren which are with them.15Salute Philologus, and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints which are with them.16Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.17Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.18For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.21Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen, salute you.22I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you in the Lord.23Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a brother.24The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.25Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,26But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:27To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

English Standard Version

King James Version

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,2To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father.3We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you,4since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints,5because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel,6which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing - as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth,7just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf8and has made known to us your love in the Spirit.9And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,10so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.11May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy,12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.13He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,14in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.16For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him.17And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.18And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.19For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.21And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds,22he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him,23if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.24Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church,25of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known,26the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.27To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.28Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.29For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.

1Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother,2To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.3We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,4Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,5For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;6Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:7As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;8Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.9For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;10That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;11Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;20And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.21And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled22In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:23If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;24Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:25Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:27To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:28Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:29Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.

Name originally given to disciples of Jesus by outsiders and gradually adopted by the Early Church.

1. Sometimes used to denote all Christians
2. Used specifically of the Roman Catholic church.